5 Ways to use social media to grow your business in the right way

When it comes to online business branding, the creation and management of social media profiles is essential. Whether your objective is to increase awareness of your company, connect with customers online or generate traffic to your website, social networking is crucial in order for your business to be successful.

“The most widely used social network, Facebook, with over 1.4 billion active daily users.”

Your social media profiles act as landing pages for your brand. Each of your profiles will be the first encounter that many people will have with your brand, so you need to make the right impression to encourage the visitor to want to know more about you. You must also ensure you are consistent across all platforms so that each social media channel is recognised as being a part of the same brand. Be sure to stick with the same picture or logo as your profile picture from one network to the next, that way people easily recognise you across all social networks.

Many people miss the opportunity to get their website link on the main page of their social media profiles. Make sure your link is at the top of every page and easy to locate to click through to your website. You should also fill out your bio to its full potential. While some networks will only allow a limited amount of characters, take advantage of networks that allow you to write lengthier bios to share the best about yourself and your brand.

If you are wondering whether social media will still have the same effect for a smaller business, the answer is yes! With more than 2 billion worldwide users, your customers are already there. That makes social media a crucial part of your brand’s marketing strategy. But while it is essential you should be on social media, using social media to grow your business in the right way is easier said than done.

Here are 5 ways you can start using social media to expand and grow your business.

1. Increase Leads

According to the Social Media Examiner’s 2017 Social Media Marketing Industry Report, more than 65% of small businesses are on social media to increase leads. Not only is social media great for generating leads, but certain profiles also have the capacity to use advanced targeting which produces higher quality, and more qualified leads.

2. Improve SEO

Blog updates and distributing links to your website are no longer enough! While social media channels don’t directly improve SEO, they are a significant factor in helping your business name rank high up in the search engine results. Being active on social media means your brand will appear among the top search results of a related product or service, leading to a wider visibility.

3. Generate Traffic

78% of small businesses state they use social media with the goal of increasing their website traffic. If you don’t have a strong presence on social media, you’re losing out on organically generated traffic. This means the traffic you are sending to your website is limited to the number of followers you have. If you want to drive more traffic to your site it is essential that you expand your brand reach. For the best chance of doing so, you must be active on all social media channels and customise your content and posts so they are relevant for each platform. To direct followers through your lead funnel you need to make your posts as clear and effective as possible. Make sure you make it effortless for audiences to reach your page or to the product you are promoting, by incorporating links, buttons and call to actions.

4. Keep an Eye on Competitors

Social media provides a great opportunity to keep an eye on your competitors. It gives you the chance to monitor and draw inspiration from their performance and learn what works well and what doesn’t. There is a reason they are successful, so taking note of what content they post and what generates a high engagement with their followers is a great indication for what to include as part of your own marketing strategy. It is important, however, not to copy or follow exactly what your competitors do. Use their profiles for inspiration and for learning strategies, not for stealing ideas! Remember, what works successfully for one person or brand, won’t always work well for someone else. It is also crucial that you analyse your own numbers and engagement so that you only continue to use the effective strategies.

5. Build Relationships with your Customers

79% of marketers agreed that social media is as an effective way to develop loyal followers. Social media is more than just a platform to raise awareness of your brand and selling your products and services. It gives you the opportunity to build trust with your followers and develop loyal customers. Use your social networks to engage with your followers, and take the time to respond to anyone who posts or comments on your page. This humanises your profile and lets your customers know you are listening to what they want. Take note of what content your followers engage with most and focus on that. If you find yourself having to deal with a complaint, tackle it fast and effectively. Always respond, and remain professional. Take care to answer questions quickly, offering a strong customer service.

As a final thought, just remember every business is different. Not all types of content or strategies will work successfully for everyone. Testing and measuring is key. Learn from your findings, continually develop your strategy and continue to make improvements.

If you would like to know how to utilise social media to grow your business, please get in contact with us on 01993 768087 or email us enquiries@avalanche-enterprise.com